Dive! World War II Stories of Sailors and Submarines in the Pacific by Hopkinson - ADVISABLE

Hopkinson, Deborah Dive! World War II Stories of Sailors and Submarines in the Pacific, 384 pages.  Scholastic, 2016.  $18.  Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (short description of Pearl Harbor aftermath).

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, almost the only ships operating in the Pacific were submarines.  They had to bear a heavy burden until the US could get some new boats intot he water.  Hopkinson presents the stories of the submarines and their sailors in chronological as much as possible, using first person accounts whenever available.  While there is levity among the pages, there is much danger and heartbreak along the way.  Includes daring tales of rescues and tactics, scores upon the enemy and losses of entire subs.

This is quite a chunk of book for a student to read.  If you have an audience for it, I would definitely buy it.  It is a fascinating look at the submarines of WWII and the important role they played.  The story is very human and at times heart-wrenching.  Hopkinson has meticulously documented every quote and incident, with an extensive set of footnotes and bibliography.

MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher.